How to Carefully Select a Wilderness Therapy Program

Before sending your child to any therapeutic program, carefully analyze whether it will be effective for him or her.

outdoorsFor the young man that has been struggling to cope with the ever-growing nature of society, nothing is more affirming and healing than clinically-sound therapeutic wilderness programs. The real power of wilderness therapy comes from a combination of multiple elements: treatment, relationships, trust, and other important key factors.

Factors to Consider

It’s important that you select a program that promotes a deep and trusting therapeutic relationship with both the students and the families. Without this, you’ll notice that the program that you enrolled your son will have little effect on their behavior. Be sure that you openly communicate with the director to get a solid grasp on their mission statement and what they can provide for your child. Remember, these therapeutic wilderness programs aren’t like a bootcamp for boys. Rather, they are a treatment process that utilizes the natural wonders of nature to help young people that struggle with issues overcome their past behaviors.

Accreditation and Trust

Now, in order to successfully select the right program, you’ll need to first determine whether or not that program is accredited by the state. Basically, you want to send your child to an establishment that’s “off the grid”. Note that you’ll have to entrust the safety and well-being of your child into the hands of a specialist. If you feel as if there can possibly be complications coming out of that, then it would be wise for you to reconsider and look into other establishments that provide similar services.


Wood Creek Academy stands out from all the other Christian boarding schools for troubled boys. They are an accredited therapeutic program that offers wilderness treatment with trained therapists.